Richard Ferrand, President of the National Assembly, remains one of the personalities closest to the Head of State. For him, the balance of the rallying process of Emmanuel Macron is still in force and the priority is to cross in harmony the crisis which is announced at the start of the school year.
How do you see the start of the school year?
RICHARD FERRAND. The virus lasts. The challenge is to contain its spread and avoid further confinement. More than ever respecting all barrier gestures is imperative. With the help of scientists, let's take all measures that are human and economically acceptable.
Do you fear a worsening of the economic and social crisis?
The worst is never certain, but you must always prepare for it. The confidence of the French is the essential lever to ensure the rebound of the economy and protect us from unemployment. Our compatriots can be sure that everything is being done to curb the risk of unemployment, without tax increases. Measures of an unprecedented scale have already been taken to support certain sectors and for youth employment. Everything is being done to weather the storm as well as possible.
The reform of unemployment benefits is postponed. Are you in favor of this postponement?
Yes. The Prime Minister gave the gong of dialogue with the social partners on compensation for long-term partial activity, on the anti-dismissal shield, on young people ... In total, 100 billion euros are put on Table.
It seems that on the pension reform, the Head of State, unlike the Prime Minister is in favor of maintaining it. And you ?
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The priority battle for the start of the school year is to face the crisis, with confidence, a spirit of harmony and unity. Let us nevertheless continue to work on a universal points-based retirement system which, I believe, is fairer, especially for farmers and employees whose commitment has been emphasized on the “front line”, such as delivery men and employees of the supermarkets ... Having combined the change of system with the need to balance the accounts has created a misunderstanding. This vision, carried by Edouard Philippe, was nevertheless part of an indisputable rationality. The necessities are still there, only the schedule has changed.
After the failure of the macronie in the municipal elections, the head of state is talking about reinventing himself. It is a reinvention which passes rather by a change of bar to the right?
I, who sail a little, know that the bar hits make circles in the water. On the contrary, the balance of Emmanuel Macron's historic rallying process remains! On the one hand, the imperative of social justice was recently materialized by the vote in the Assembly of a fifth social security risk intended to cover the loss of autonomy of our seniors and by measures in favor of youth. On the other hand, there is the desire to revive through consumption and investment, without increasing taxes. Reinvention is also the Prime Minister's method: intensifying dialogue with trade unions and regions. In the previous period this work had been done but it was less readable.
The Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin, is the subject of a complaint for rape. Should he stay in government?
In addition to the presumption of innocence, Justice has already dismissed the complaint twice and pronounced a dismissal, nothing which stands in the way of maintaining the government.
The Republic in March is struggling. She no longer has an absolute majority in the National Assembly, a war has opened for the presidency of the group ...
The majority live without ever having failed. All the laws as well as the general policy declaration were passed including during the confinement during which, I would like to emphasize, the Assembly never interrupted its work. Gilles Le Gendre, the president of the walking deputies, decided to hand over at the same time as a new government was put in place. As for his succession, I defer to collective wisdom. The return to this plan will be serene.
Is there a need for a change at the head of the LREM party?
Why? Stanislas Guerini, his general delegate, is doing a good job and he needs to pursue it. He prepares the senatorial, departmental and regional elections. For that, it works with the parties of the majority to find the way to represent everywhere its forces in their components and their variety, on the inspiration of the Renaissance list in the Europeans which was a success.
Are you in favor of a referendum in the ecological field?
I have no opposition in principle to the referendum. It is an exercise framed by the rules provided for in Articles 11 and 89 of the Constitution, which requires very in-depth preliminary work. A referendum by the end of the year seems unlikely. Referendum or not, what was proposed by the Citizens' Convention will be scrupulously taken into account.
You come from the Socialist Party. Do you think the left is able to rebuild itself and unite by 2022?
The left, like the sensibility of the right, is present in the policy implemented, in the composition of the government and in the majority. It is up to the opposition parties to demonstrate their ability to build a credible alternative project, to appoint personalities who embody it to win the majority conviction in the country. It's a long way.
What could be Emmanuel Macron's message for a possible campaign in 2022?
More than a message, it embodies the quiet strength of a united and conquering France.